People: Skipton Building Society announces senior appointments; Provident Financial CFO set for leave of absence; and more

Skipton Building Society has announced the appointment of a new Head of Mortgage Products and a Head of Savings and Partnerships Products.

Alex Beavis joined Skipton five years ago and was previously the Society’s Senior Product Manager. He takes on the new position of Head of Mortgages.

Maitham Mohsin  is the Society’s new Head of Savings and Partnerships.

Beavis oversaw Skipton enter the Help to Buy market, developed and launched an award-winning new build proposition, and oversaw re-entry into 95% Loan-to-Value lending.

Mohsin has been promoted from his role as Skipton’s Senior Partnerships Manager, a position he has held since 2014.

Prior to joining Skipton, Mohsin spent four years with Tesco Bank, operating latterly as their Head of Pet Insurance – which was the second largest pet insurance book in the market at the time.

Kris Brewster, Skipton’s Director of Products, said: “I’m delighted to confirm the promotion of Alex and Maitham to Head of Mortgage and Head of Savings and Partnership Products. They both bring strong industry expertise, intense customer focus and a drive to embrace change in a challenging commercial market.

“These appointments further strengthen Skipton’s team and create more scope for us to collaborate and play a leading role in the world of mortgages and savings.”

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Provident Financial, the Bradford-based subprime lender, has announced that Simon Thomas, Chief Financial Officer is to take up to three months leave, starting on 5 April 2019.

During this period, Thomas will have a heart operation and is expected to return to work full time no later than June 2019.

In his absence, Tony Skrzypecki, a senior advisor and former partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), will become interim Chief Financial Officer.

Skrzypecki, however, will not be a member of the Board. He starts his role on Tuesday 2 April, and will report to Malcolm Le May, Chief Executive Officer.

Skrzypecki was a partner at PwC for over 25 years, where he specialised in corporate mergers & acquisitions, particularly for public companies facing unsolicited approaches or activist activity.

His clients included many FTSE100 companies covering all major sectors including financial services as well as overseas groups, sovereign wealth funds and private equity.

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Punch Creative, the Leeds-based digital marketing agency, has announced the appointment of a new Commercial Director.

Louise Wright has joined Punch from Splendid Hospitality Group where she was Group Sales and Marketing Director for almost four years.

Wright has over 20 years’ experience in developing and implementing sales and marketing strategies within the hospitality industry, working with major chains including De Vere, Thistle, Q Hotels and Splendid Hospitality Group.

Her focus will be to support the management team to achieve Punch’s vision by developing relationships, returning investment and creating long term strategic growth for the agency.

Wright joins the Leeds agency as the first female director for the brand and will be working closely with Digital Director, Ian Shepherd and Creative Director, Richard Lowes.

Richard Lowes, Creative Director said: “Louise joining us feels like a natural step having worked so closely for such a long period of time. Punch value trust and relationships so there is a natural fit in terms of values and personality.

“What interests us from a strategic perspective is Louise’s vast experience in creating sales growth. We see a gap in the agency market for combining specific sales & marketing support for our clients. Where many agencies major on marketing, our approach will be to provide both.”

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Calderdale law firm Wilkinson Woodward has announced the promotion of property law specialist Melanie Leadbitter to Director.

Leadbitter has worked at Wilkinson Woodward since joining their conveyancing team in 2014. Her appointment as a director forms part of the firm’s continuing plans to expand in Calderdale and Kirklees.

Leadbitter studied law in Leeds and qualified as a solicitor in 2003. She began her legal career with Clarkson’s Solicitors in Halifax where she later became a partner, before joining Wilkinson Woodward’s property team five years ago.

With over 15 years’ experience, leadbitter has extensive knowledge of all aspects of conveyancing, including property sales, purchases, re-mortgages and transfers of equity.

Leadbitter, who is based at Wilkinson Woodward’s office in Halifax, said: “Wilkinson Woodward is a highly trusted name in Calderdale and has been trading in the area for over one hundred years. I look forward to building on my role in their plans for the future.”

Maureen Cawthorn, Wilkinson Woodward’s managing director, added: “Melanie’s commitment and skills as a lawyer are a significant asset to Wilkinson Woodward. We are delighted that she will continue to play an important part in our ongoing plans to expand in Calderdale and Kirklees.”

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Law firm Banner Jones Solicitors has expanded its Business Legal Services division with the appointment of Solicitor, Rachael Flintoft, to its Sheffield office.

Joining from Wake Smith Solicitors, Flintoft brings with her over ten years of legal experience specialising in commercial property leases, acquisition, disposal and financing.

She has joined the Business Legal Services division at Banner Jones and will operate across the commercial law arena using her expertise to advise clients on a range of commercial matters.

Stephen Gordon, Head of Business Legal Services at Banner Jones, said: “Welcoming Rachael to the Banner Jones team has been a pleasure and I have no doubt that her extensive experience and dedication to the field will see her thrive and work hard to achieve the very best results for our clients in Sheffield.

“Banner Jones is continually working to expand and increase its regional presence and Rachael’s appointment is indicative of the strategies we’ve put in place to achieve this.”

Banner Jones’ 130-strong team is based across offices in Sheffield, Chesterfield, Dronfield, Mansfield and Nottingham.